We see butterflies nearly every day. Photographers snap shots of them, artists paint them, while jewellery makers bend silver in their likeness. Butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts.

The art installation Interrogating a Butterfly explores this silent, delicate insect. The butterfly’s life cycle consists of four parts; Egg, Larva, Pupa and Adult. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The earliest known butterfly fossils date to the mid Eocene epoch, between 40-50 million years ago.

Some butterflies have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Some of these species are pests because in their larval stages they can damage domestic crops or trees; however some species are agents of pollination of some plants, and caterpillars of a few butterflies eat harmful insects.

This wood warped 10 foot tall sculpture of a butterfly will be a central piece of Science in the City. Local etymologist Dr David Mifsud is the scientific consultant behind this project.

Dates and Times: 27 Sept till 5 Oct
Location: Junction between St. John’s Street and Merchant’s Street